Use Of Serine Protease Inhibitors In The Treatment Of Neutropenia

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to therapeutic compounds which are inhibitors of serine proteases, to pharmaceutical compositions thereof and to their use in the treatment of the human or animal body. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the treatment of neutropenia comprising the administration to a subject in need thereof of a therapeutically effective amount of a serine protease inhibitor. The invention also comprises prevention of apoptosis of myeloid cells (1) during and after transfection of bone marrow cells performed for gene therapy, (2) during blood stem cell mobilization performed for reconstitution of hematopoiesis and (3) during infusion of cells of the myeloid lineage for reconstitution of hematopoiesis for gene therapy or for treatment of neutropenia by infusion of neutrophils.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to therapeutic compounds which are inhibitors of serine proteases, to pharmaceutical compositions thereof and to their use in the treatment of the human or animal body. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the treatment of neutropenia comprising the administration to a subject in need thereof of a therapeutically effective amount of a serine protease inhibitor. The invention also comprises prevention of apoptosis of myeloid cells (1) during and after transfection of bone marrow cells performed for gene therapy, (2) during blood stem cell mobilization performed for reconstitution of hematopoiesis and (3) during infusion of cells of the myeloid lineage for reconstitution of hematopoiesis for gene therapy or for treatment of neutropenia by infusion of neutrophils.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the use of compounds which are inhibitors of serine proteases. Proteases or proteolytic enzymes are essential in organisms, from bacteria and viruses to mammals. Proteases digest and degrade proteins by hydrolyzing peptide bonds. Serine proteases (EC. 3.4.21) have common features in the active site, primarily an active serine residue. There are two main types of serine proteases; the chymotrypsin/trypsin/elastase-like and subtilisin-like, which have an identical spatial arrangement of catalytic His, Asp, and Ser but in quite different protein scaffolds. However, over twenty families (S1-S27) of serine proteases have been identified that are grouped into 6 clans on the basis of structural similarity and other functional evidence, SA, SB, SC, SE, SF & SG. Family of chymotrypsin/trypsin/elastase-like serine proteases have been subdivided into two classes. The “large” class (ca 230 residues) includes mostly mammalian enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, kallikrein, and thrombin. The “small” class (ca 190 residues) includes the bacterial enzymes.

The catalytic His, Asp and Ser are flanked by substrate amino acid side chain residue binding pockets termed Si′, S2′, S3′ etc on the C-terminal or ‘prime’ side of the substrate and S1, S2, S3 etc on the N-terminal side. This nomenclature is as described in Structure and Mechanism in Protein Science: A Guide to Enzyme Catalysis and Protein Folding, Alan Fersht, 1999 (W.H. Freeman and Company) pages 40-43 and Brik et al, Org. Biomol. Chem., 2003, 1, 5-14. The chymotrypsin/trypsin/elastase-like serine proteases can also be further subdivided by the residues present in the Si pocket as described in Introduction to Protein Structure, Carl Branden and John Tooze, 1991 (Garland Publishing Inc) pages 231-241. The subdivisions are chymotrypsin-like (Gly-226, Ser-189 and Gly-216 in S1 pocket), trypsin-like (Gly-226, Asp-189 and Gly-216 in S1) and elastase-like (Val-226 and Thr-216 in S1) where the residues numbering is taken from the standard chymotrypsin numbering. The trypsin-like serine proteases prefer substrates which place either Lys or Arg in the S1 pocket.

The serine proteases have a common catalytic mechanism characterized by a particularly reactive Ser residue at position 195 using the chymotrypsin numbering system. Examples of serine proteases include trypsin, tryptase, chymotrypsin, elastase, thrombin, plasmin, kallikrein, Complement Cl, acrosomal protease, lysosomal protease, cocoonase, α-lytic protease, protease A, protease B, serine carboxypeptidase π, subtilisin, urokinase (uPA), Factor Vila, Factor IXa, and Factor Xa. The serine proteases have been investigated extensively for many years and are a major focus of research as a drug target due to their role in regulating a wide variety of physiological processes.

Processes involving serine proteases include coagulation, fibrinolysis, fertilization, development, malignancy, neuromuscular patterning and inflammation. It is well known that these compounds inhibit a variety of circulating proteases as well as proteases that are activated or released in tissue. It is also known that serine protease inhibitors inhibit critical cellular processes, such as adhesion, migration, free radical production and apoptosis. In addition, animal experiments indicate that intravenously administered serine protease inhibitors, variants or cells expressing serine protease inhibitors, provide protection against tissue damage.

Serine protease inhibitors have also been predicted to have potential beneficial uses in the treatment of disease in a wide variety of clinical areas such as oncology, hematology, neurology, pulmonary medicine, immunology, inflammation and infectious disease. Serine protease inhibitors may also be beneficial in the treatment of thrombotic diseases, asthma, emphysema, cirrhosis, arthritis, carcinoma, melanoma, restenosis, atheroma, trauma, shock and reperfusion injury. A useful review is found in Expert Opin. Ther. Patents (2002), 12(8). Serine protease inhibitors are disclosed in US published patent applications U.S. 2003/0100089 and 2004/0180371 and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,784,182, 6,656,911, 6,656,910, 6,608,175, 6,534,495 and 6,472,393.

Leukopenia refers to a decrease in the total leukocyte count below about 4.0×10⁹ cells/L. Usually, the reduction is a result of a decrease in the number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) (neutropenia), their numbers being usually less than 2.0×10⁹ cells/L and frequently below 1.0×10⁹ cells/L. Neutropenia may result from viral infections (e.g. influenza, measles, hepatitis virus, chickenpox, dengue and yellow fever, HIV) or from overwhelming bacterial infections including miliary tuberculosis and septicemia. Furthermore, neutropenia develops due to irradiation or treatment with drugs used e.g. in chemotherapy of malignant diseases or vasculitis and autoimmune diseases. Examples for drug-induced neutropenia are sulfonamides, antithyroid drugs, antihistamines, antimicrobial agents, phenothiazines and various analgesics, sedatives and anti-inflammatory agents or various toxic chemicals. Induction of cell death by infectious agents, drugs and toxic chemicals or antibodies may affect neutrophils and/or their precursor cells in the bone marrow. Antibodies to cells of the myeloid lineage are seen in immune mediated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematodes or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Last but not least various forms of congenital neutropenia have been described. Neutropenia results not only from damage of PMN in the circulation, but also from damage of stem cells and mitotic cells in the bone marrow by infectious agents, drugs, irradiation and toxic chemicals or due to slowing of cell divisions, blockade of DNA strand duplication, RNA formation or disruption of the microtubules of the mitotic spindle.

Neutropenia e.g. due to chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies, solid tumors or carcinomas leads to an impaired host response with significant morbidity and mortality due to infections. For example chemotherapy of early breast cancer with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil results in neutropenic events in 30% of the patients with sepsis with requirement for delay of further anti-cancer treatment or dose reduction. Dose reductions of 20-30% have been associated with lower complete response rates and shortened survival in patients with lymphoma or with inferior relapse—free survival. Despite of improvements in antibacterial therapy for neutropenic sepsis, each year approximately 5% of patients receiving myelotoxic chemotherapy die due to infection related complications.

In-vitro handling of neutrophils and their precursor cells e.g. for gene therapy or for preparation of infusions of neutrophils is associated with an increase of cell death due to induction of apoptosis of myeloid cells.

Present agents used for the treatment of neutropenia include G-CSF, GM-CSF and G-CSF conjugated to polyethylene glycol as pegulated G-CSF. Despite the availability and considerable efficacy of the above approved agents in reducing the risk of neutropenia and its complications remain significant issues in oncology. Rarely rupture of the spleen but more frequently increase of the spleen volume, disturbances of gas exchange in the lung and single cases of acute injury stroke and myocardial infarction have been observed in healthy donors receiving G-CSF for harvesting peripheral blood stem cells. The evidences that G-CSF causes myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloic leukemia are less clear and need to be analyzed in further prospective long-term studies.

Although these approaches have shown promise, there is a need of improved therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic approaches for the treatment of neutropenia. The present invention provides an improved and reliable method for the treatment, diagnosis or prophylaxis of neutropenia comprising the administration to a subject in need thereof of a therapeutically effective amount of a Serine protease inhibitor.

These and other objects as will be apparent from the foregoing have been achieved by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a method for the treatment or prevention of patients suffering from neutropenia comprising the administration to said patients in need thereof of a therapeutically effective amount of serine protease inhibitors. Preferably the serine protease inhibitors is a Kallikrein inhibitor and preferably said Kallikrein inhibitor is selected amongst hK2, hK3, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK9 hK10, hK11, hK12, hK13, hK14, hK15 inhibitors or mixtures thereof The most preferably said Kallikrein inhibitor is selected among hK2, hK4, hK11, hK5, hK14 inhibitors or mixtures thereof Even more preferably said Kallikrein inhibitor is an hK2 inhibitor. Preferably the serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof.

Also disclosed are serine protease inhibitors for use in a method of treating or preventing neutropenia in patients which develops due to infections, septicemia, chemotherapy, irradiation, toxic chemicals or as side effects of any medication. Preferably, the number and/or activation state of neutrophils is impaired. Said serine protease inhibitors are also for use in a method of treating or preventing skin ulcers in diabetes patients in which neutrophils undergo cell death, or skin ulcers developing in patients with peripheral arterial disease associated with hypoxic conditions in the skin and neutrophil dysfunction and apoptosis. Also said serine protease inhibitors are for use in a method of treating or preventing irradiation induced damage of myeloid cells as occurs in the course of treatment of malignancy, accidents in nuclear plants or use of nuclear weapons. Preferably said serine protease inhibitors is a Kallikrein inhibitor and preferably said Kallikrein inhibitor is selected amongst hK2, hK3, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK9 hK10, hK11, hK12, hK13, hK14, hK15 inhibitors or mixtures thereof Preferably said serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof

Further disclosed are serine protease inhibitors for use in the in-vitro preparation of neutrophils and their bone marrow precursors

-   -   to perform molecular manipulations for gene therapy prior to         infusion of myeloid cells to patients with neutropenia or         genetic disorders of the myeloid system,     -   or to use neutrophils and their bone marrow precursors for         infusion to patients with neutropenia or dysfunction of         neutrophils.

Preferably said serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof

The invention further provides a method for the prevention of apoptosis of myeloid cells of patients, comprising the administration to said patients in need thereof of a therapeutically effective amount of serine protease inhibitors:

(1) during and after transfection of bone marrow cells performed for gene therapy, (2) during blood stem cell mobilization performed for reconstitution of hematopoiesis and/or (3) during infusion of cells of the myeloid lineage for reconstitution of hematopoiesis for gene therapy or for treatment of neutropenia by infusion of neutrophils.

Preferably said serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof.

The invention also provides a kit for the diagnosis, prognosis, prophylaxis or treatment of neutropenia in a mammal, characterized in that said kit comprises serine protease inhibitors, optionally with reagents and/or instructions for use. Preferably said serine protease inhibitors comprise a detectable label or can bind to a detectable label to form a detectable complex. Also preferably said serine protease inhibitors is a Kallikrein inhibitor and preferably said Kallikrein inhibitor is selected amongst hK2, hK3, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK9 hK10, hK11, hK12, hK13, hK14, hK15 inhibitors or mixtures thereof Preferably said serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the ensuing detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the following illustrative drawings, and the attendant claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1: shows Annexin-V staining of neutrophils and T-cells upon incubation with protease inhibitors MDPK67b and MDOKG9.

(a) Annexin-V staining of neutrophils and T-cells upon incubation with MDPK67b. Cells were incubated for 24 or 48 hours with MDPK67b at concentrations ranging from 6 μM to 60μM, as indicated, or PBS as control. Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V staining and FACS analysis. Indicated leukocyte populations were gated based on their appearance in a forward scatter/sideward scatter FACS dot plot (neutrophils) or by positive staining for CD3 (T cells). (b) Annexin-V staining of neutrophils upon incubation with MDPK67b or MDOKG9 (OKDG9).

Neutrophils were incubated for 18 hours with MDPK67b or MDOKG9 concentrations ranging from 60 μM (dilution 1) to 60 μM (dilution 7) as indicated. Apoptosis was assessed as outlined above.

FIG. 2: shows comparison of various cell culture conditions through Annexin-V staining of MDPK67b treated neutrophils.

Neutrophils were cultured with the indicated concentrations of MDPK67b. PBS without MDPK67b served as a control. Neutrophils were plated (100μl/well) either at 5×10⁶/ml (high density) or 3×10⁵/ml (low density) and neutrophil apoptosis was assessed by AnnexinV staining and FACS analysis. Culturing of 5×10⁶/ml neutrophils in serum free medium (X-Vivo 15) instead of RPMI10% FCS was assessed in parallel.

FIG. 3: shows reversion of MDPK67b mediated neutrophil protection by tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

(a) Effect of MDPK67b on CD16 and CD11 b levels of cultured neutrophils. Neutrophils were cultured with the indicated concentrations of MDPK67b and percentage of neutrophils expressing high levels of CD16 or CD11b was assessed by FACS. Representative FACS plots are shown. (b) Reversion of effect of MDPK67b on CD16 and CD 11b neutrophils levels by PP2. Neutrophils were cultured with the indicated concentrations of MDPK67b in presence or absence of the Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2 (final concentration 10 μM). Apoptosis and relative frequencies of CD11b and CD16 high expressing neutrophils were measured by FACS analysis.

FIG. 4: shows effect of G-CSF on neutrophil in vitro apoptosis. Neutrophils were cultured with the indicated concentrations of G-CSF and neutrophil (a) Apoptosis and (b) down-regulation of CD16 expression were analyzed by FACS. (c) Neutrophils were cultured with MDPK67b (0.6 μM) and titrated amounts of G-CSF (concentrations as indicated). Neutrophils cultured in medium and PBS (without MDPK67b) served as a control.

FIG. 5: shows Annexin-V and CD16 staining of neutrophils treated with MDPK67b and Etoposid.

(a) Annexin-V staining of neutrophils treated with MDPK67b and Etoposid. Cells were incubated during 18 hours with MDPK67b (6 μM) plus Etoposid (125 μg/ml), Etoposid alone or PBS. Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V staining and FACS analysis. Relevant leukocyte populations were gated based on their appearance in a forward scatter or sideward scatter FACS dot plot. (b) Annexin-V staining of neutrophils treated with low MDPK67b and increasing Etoposid concentrations. Cells were incubated for 18 hours with MDPK67b (0.06 μM) alone or MDPK67b (0.06 μM) plus increasing concentrations of Etopsid (in μg/ml) as indicated or PBS. Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V staining and FACS analysis was performed as mentioned above. (c) CD16 staining of neutrophils treated with MDPK67b and Etoposid. Cells were incubated for 18 hours with MDPK67b (0.06 μM alone or MDPK67b (0.06 μM) plus increasing concentrations of Etopsid (in μg/ml) as indicated or PBS. Percentages of CD16 high expressing neutrophils were assessed by FACS analysis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some of the serine proteases of the chymotrypsin superfamily, including t-PA, plasmin, u-PA and the proteases of the blood coagulation cascade are large molecules that contain, in addition to the serine protease catalytic domain, other structural domains responsible in part for regulation of their activity (Barrett, 1986; Gerard et al, 1986; Blasi et al., 1986).

Among important serine proteases are trypsin-like enzymes, such as trypsin, tryptase, thrombin, kallikrein, and factor Xa. The serine protease targets are associated with processes such as blood clotting; complement mediated lysis, the immune response, inflammation, pain sensing, glomerulonephritis, pancreatitis, cancer, regulating fertilization, bacterial infection and viral maturation. By inhibiting serine proteases which have high specificity for a particular target, one can inhibit in vivo numerous biological processes, which may have dramatic effects on a host.

Serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) comprise a diverse group of proteins that form a superfamily already including more than 100 members, from such diverse organisms as viruses, plants and humans. Serpins have evolved over 500 million years and diverged phylogenetically into proteins with inhibitory function and non-inhibitory function (Hunt and Dayhoff, 1980). Non-inhibitory serpins such as ovalbumin lack protease inhibitory activity (Remold-O'Donnell, 1993). The primary function of serpin family members appears to be the neutralization of overexpressed serine proteinase activity (Potempa et al., 1994). Serpins play a role in extracellular matrix remodeling, modulation of inflammatory response and cell migration (Potempa et al., 1994).

Serine protease inhibitors are divided into the following families: the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) family, also known as basic protease inhibitor (Ketcham et al., 1978); the Kazal family; the Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor family; the serpin family; the soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) family; the potato inhibitor family; and the Bowman-Birk family (Laskowski et al., 1980; Read et al., 1986; Laskowski et al., 1987). Serine protease inhibitors belonging to the serpin family include the plasminogen activator inhibitors PAI-1, PAI-2 and PAI-3, Cl esterase inhibitor, alpha-2-antiplasmin, contrapsin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, antithrombin III, protease nexin I, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, protein C inhibitor, heparin cofactor II and growth hormone regulated protein (Carrelletal., 1987; Sommeretal., 1987; Suzuki et al., 1987; Stump et al., 1986).

Many of the serine protease inhibitors have a broad specificity and are able to inhibit both the chymotrypsin superfamily of proteases, including the blood coagulation serine proteases, and the Streptomyces subtilisin superfamily of serine proteases (Laskowski et al., 1980). The inhibition of serine proteases by serpins has been reviewed in Travis et al. (1983); Carrelletal. (1985); and Sprengers et al. (1987). Crystallographic data are available for a number of intact inhibitors including members of the BPTI, Kazal, SSI, soybean trypsin and potato inhibitor families, and for a cleaved form of the serpin alpha-1-antitrypsin (Read et al., 1986). Despite the fact that these serine protease inhibitors are proteins of diverse size and sequence, the intact inhibitors studied to date all have in common a characteristic loop, termed the reactive site loop, extending from the surface of the molecule that contains the recognition sequence for the active site of the cognate serine protease (Levin et al., 1983). The structural similarity of the loops in the different serine protease inhibitors is remarkable (Papamokos et al., 1982). The specificity of each inhibitor is thought to be determined primarily by the identity of the amino acid that is immediately amino-terminal to the site of potential cleavage of the inhibitor by the serine protease. This amino acid, known as the Pi site residue, is thought to form an acyl bond with the serine in the active site of the serine protease (Laskowski et al., 1980). Whether or not a serpin possesses inhibitory function depends strongly on the consensus sequence located in the hinge region of the reactive site loop near the carboxy-terminus of the coding region. Outside of the reactive site loop, the serine protease inhibitors of different families are generally unrelated structurally, although the Kazal family and Streptomyces subtilisin family of inhibitors display some structural and sequence similarity.

As used herein, the following definitions are supplied in order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention.

“A” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

The term “comprise” is generally used in the sense of include, that is to say permitting the presence of one or more features or components.

As used herein, the terms “protein”, “polypeptide”, “polypeptidic”, “peptide” and “peptidic” or “peptidic chain” are used interchangeably herein to designate a series of amino acid residues connected to the other by peptide bonds between the alpha-amino and carboxy groups of adjacent residues.

“Amino acid residue” means any amino acid residue known to those skilled in the art. This encompasses naturally occurring amino acids (including for instance, using the three-letter code, Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Val), as well as rare and/or synthetic amino acids and derivatives thereof (including for instance Aad, Abu, Acp, Ahe, Aib, Apm, Dbu, Des, Dpm, Hyl, McLys, McVal, Nva, and the like.

Said amino acid residue or derivative thereof can be any isomer, especially any chiral isomer, e.g. the L- or D-isoform.

By amino acid derivative, we hereby mean any amino acid derivative as known in the art. For instance, amino acid derivatives include residues derivable from natural amino acids bearing additional side chains, e.g. alkyl side chains, and/or heteroatom substitutions.

“Fragments” refer to sequences sharing at least 40% amino acids in length with the respective sequence of the substrate active site. These sequences can be used as long as they exhibit the same properties as the native sequence from which they derive. Preferably these sequences share more than 70%, preferably more than 80%, even more preferably more than 90%, in particular more than 95% amino acids in length with the respective sequence the substrate active site.

The present invention also includes variants of the substrate active site sequence. The term “variants” refer to polypeptides having amino acid sequences that differ to some extent from a native sequence polypeptide that is amino acid sequences that vary from the native sequence by conservative amino acid substitutions, whereby one or more amino acids are substituted by another with same characteristics and conformational roles. The amino acid sequence variants possess substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions at certain positions within the amino acid sequence of the native amino acid sequence. Conservative amino acid substitutions are herein defined as exchanges within one of the following five groups:

I. Small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightly polar residues: Ala, Ser, Thr, Pro, Gly II. Polar, positively charged residues: His, Arg, Lys III. Polar, negatively charged residues: and their amides: Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln IV. Large, aromatic residues: Phe, Tyr, Tip V. Large, aliphatic, nonpolar residues: Met, Leu, Ile, Val, Cys.

The term “kallikrein” relates to glandular or tissue kallikreins. Glandular or tissue kallikreins are a sub-family of serine proteases, with a high degree of substrate specificity and diverse expression in various tissues and biological fluids. The term “kallikrein” appeared in the literature for the first time in the 1930s, when large amounts of protease enzymes were found in pancreas isolates (pancreas is “Kallikreas” in Greek) (Kraut et al. 1930, Werle 1934). Nowadays kallikrein enzymes are divided into two groups, plasma and tissue kallikreins, which differ significantly in their molecular weight, substrate specificity, immunological characteristics, gene structure, and type of the kinin released.

Kallikreins comprise a family of 15 homologous single chain, secreted serine endopeptidases of ˜25-30 kDa, with orthologues present in species from at least six mammalian orders. These kallikreins are hK2, hK3, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK9 hK10, hK11, hK12, hK13, hK14 and hK15. Preferably kallikreins are hK2, hK4, hK11 and hK14.

“Antibody”, as used herein, refers to a class of plasmaproteins produced by the B-cells of the immune system after stimulation by an antigen. Mammal (i.e. Human) antibodies are immunoglobulins of the Ig G, M, A, E or D class. The term “antibody” as used for the purposes of this invention includes, but is not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, humanized, human, internalizing, neutralizing, anti-idiotypic antibodies, immunologically-active fragments or derivatives thereof, recombinant proteins having immunologically-activity, and immunoconjugates which bind a kallikrein or a membrane anchored serine protease.

The terms “cancer” and “cancerous” refer to or describe the physiological condition in mammals that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth.

“Disease”, as used herein, refers to a pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.

“Mammal” for purposes of treatment refers to any animal classified as a mammal, including humans, domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports, or pet animals, such as dogs, horses, cats, cows, monkeys etc. Preferably, the mammal is human.

“Treatment” refers to both therapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures. Those in need of treatment include those already with the disorder as well as those in which the disorder is to be prevented. Hence, the mammal to be treated herein may have been diagnosed as having the disorder or may be predisposed or susceptible to the disorder.

The term “subject” refers to patients of human or other mammal and includes any individual it is desired to examine or treat using the methods according to the present invention. However, it will be understood that “patient” does not automatically imply that symptoms or diseases are present.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to molecular entities and compositions that are physiologically tolerable and do not typically produce an allergic or similar untoward reaction, such as gastric upset, dizziness and the like, when administered to a human.

As used herein, the term “protease” refers to a class of enzymes which recognizes a molecule and cleaves an activation sequence in the molecule. The protease can be an endopeptidase which cleaves internal peptide bonds. Alternatively, the protease can be an exopeptidase which hydrolyzes the peptide bonds from the N-terminal end or the C-terminal end of the polypeptide or protein molecule. The protease folds into a conformation to form a catalytic site which receives and cleaves the activation sequence.

“Inhibitors” refer to a polypeptide, or a chemical compound, that specifically inhibit the function of a kallikrein or serine protease by, preferably, binding to said kallikrein or serine protease.

“Reactive Serpin Loop” or “Reactive Site Loop” or RSL refers to an exposed flexible reactive-site loop found in serpin and which is implicated in the interaction with the putative target protease. From the residue on the amino acid side of the scissile bond, and moving away from the bond, residues are conventionally called P1, P2, P3; etc. Residues that follow the scissile bond are called P1′, P2′, P3′, etc. Usually, the RSL is composed of 6 to 12 amino acid residues.

“Serine protease” or serpin according to the invention can be selected from the group comprising the α-1antichymotrypsin (ACT), protein C inhibitor (PCI), α-1antiproteinase (AAT), human α-1antitrypsin-related protein precursor (ATR), a-2-plasmin inhibitor (AAP), human anti-thrombin-III precursor (ATIII), protease inhibitor 10 (PI10), human collagen-binding protein 2 precursor (CBP2), protease inhibitor 7 (PI7), protease inhibitor leuserpin 2 (HLS2), human plasma protease C1 inhibitor (C1 INH), monocyte/neutrophil elastase inhibitor (M/NEI), plasminogen activator inhibitor-3 (PAI3), protease inhibitor 4 (PI4), protease inhibitor 5 (PI5), protease inhibitor 12 (PI12), human plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 precursor endothelial (PAI-1), human plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 placental (PAI2), human pigment epithelium-derived factor precursor (PEDF), protease inhibitor 6 (PI6), protease inhibitor 8 (PI8), protease inhibitor 9 (PI9), human squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA-1), human squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 (SCCA-2), T4-binding globulin (TBG), Megsin, and protease inhibitor 14 (PI14), fragments thereof, molecular chimeras thereof, combinations thereof and/or variants thereof.

Since most of these serpins have different names, Applicant includes below a table summarizing their specifications:

TABLE I Accession Serpin Number RSL sequence PI or AAT, A1AT_HUMAN ALPHA-1-ANTITRYPSIN PRECURSOR sp|P01009| GTEAAGAMFLEAIPMSIPPE (ALPHA-1 PROTEASE INHIBITOR) (ALPHA-1-ANTIPROTEINASE) PIL or ATR, A1AU_HUMAN ALPHA-1-ANTITRYPSIN-RELATED sp|P20848| GTEATGAPHLEEKAWSKYQT PROTEIN PRECURSOR PLI OR MP, A2AP_HUMAN ALPHA-ANTIPLASMIN sp|P08697| GVEAAAATSIAMSRMSLSSF PRECURSOR (ALPHA-2-PLASMIN INHIBITOR) (ALPHA-2-PI) (ALPHA-2-AP) AACT, AACT_HUMAN ALPHA-1-ANTICHYMOTRYPSIN sp|P01011| GTEASAATAVKITLLSALVE PRECURSOR (ACT) AT3, ANT3_HUMAN ANTITHROMBIN-III PRECURSOR (ATIII) sp|P01008| GSEAAASTAVVIAGRSLNPN PI10, BOMA_HUMAN BOMAPIN (PROTEASE INHIBITOR 10) sp|P48595| GTEAAAGSGSEIDIRIRVPS CBP2, CBP2_HUMAN COLLAGEN-BINDING PROTEIN 2 sp|P50454| GNPFDQDIYGREELRSPKLF PRECURSOR (COLLIGIN 2) PI7 or PN1, GDN_ HUMAN GLIA DERIVED NEXIN PRECURSOR sp|P07093| GTKASAATTAILIARSSPPW (GDN)(PROTEASE NEXIN I)(PN-1)(PROTEASE INHIBITOR 7) HCF2, HEP2_HUMAN HEPARIN COFACTOR II PRECURSOR sp|P05546| GTQATTVTTVGFMPLSTQVR (HC-II)(PROTEASE INHIBITOR LEUSERPIN 2) (HLS2) C1NH or C1IN, IC1_HUMAN PLASMA PROTEASE C1 INHIBITOR sp|P05155| GVEAAAASAISVARTLLVFE PRECURSOR (C1 INH) ELANH2 or P12, ILEU_HUMAN LEUKOCYTE ELASTASE sp|P30740| GTEAAAATAGIATFCMLMPE INHIBITOR (LEI) (MONOCYTE/NEUTROPHIL ELASTASE INHIBITOR) (M/NEI) (EI) PCI or PLANH3 or PROCI, IPSP_HUMAN PLASMA SERINE sp|P05154| GTRAAAATGTIFTFRSARLN PROTEASE INHIBITOR PRECURSOR (PCI) (PROTEIN C INHIBITOR) (PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR-3) (PAI3) PI4 or KST, KAIN_HUMAN KALLISTATIN PRECURSOR sp|P29622| GTEAAAATTFAIKFFSAQTN (KALLIKREIN INHIBITOR) (PROTEASE INHIBITOR 4) P15, MASP_HUMAN MASPIN PRECURSOR (PROTEASE sp|P36952| GGDSIEVPGARILQHKDELN INHIBITOR 5) PI12, NEUS_HUMAN NEUROSERPIN PRECURSOR (PROTEASE sp|Q99574| GSEAAAVSGMIAISRMAVLY INHIBITOR 12) PAH or PLANH1, sp|P05121|PA|1_HUMAN PLASMINOGEN sp|P05121| GTVASSSTAVIVSARMAPEE ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR-1 PRECURSOR, ENDOTHELIAL (PAI-1) PAI2 or PLANH2, PAI2_HUMAN PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR sp|P05120| GTEAAAGTGGVMTGRTGHGG INHIBITOR-2, PLACENTAL (PAI-2) (MONOCYTE ARG-SERPIN) (UROKINASE INHIBITOR) PEDF, PEDF_HUMAN PIGMENT EPITHELIUM-DERIVED FACTOR sp|P36955| GAGTTPSPGLQPAHLTFPLD PRECURSOR (PEDF) (EPC-1) PI6 or PTI, PTI6_HUMAN PLACENTAL THROMBIN INHIBITOR sp|P35237| GTEAAAATAAIMMMRCARFV (CYTOPLASMIC ANTIPROTEINASE)(CAP) (PROTEASE INHIBITOR 6) P18, PTI8_HUMAN CYTOPLASMIC ANTIPROTEINASE 2 (CAP2) sp|P50452| GTEAAAATAVVRNSRCSRME (CAP-2) (PROTEASE INHIBITOR 8) P19, PTI9_HUMAN CYTOPLASMIC ANTIPROTEINASE 3 (CAP3) sp|P50453| GTEAAAASSCFVVAECCMES (CAP-3) (PROTEASE INHIBITOR 9) SCCA1, SCC1_HUMAN SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA sp|P29508| GAEAAAATAVVGFGSSPAST ANTIGEN 1 (SCCA-1) (PROTEIN T4-A) SCCA2, SCC2_HUMAN SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA sp|P48594| GVEAAAATAVVVVELSSPST ANTIGEN 2 (SCCA-2) (LEUPIN) TBG, THBG_HUMAN THYROXINE-BINDING GLOBULIN sp|P05543| GTEAAAVPEVELSDQPENTF PRECURSOR (T4-BINDING GLOBULIN) MEGSIN gi|4505149ref|N GTEATAATGSNIVEKQLPQS P_003775.1| PI14, pancpin, TSA2004 gi|3724282dbj|B GSEAATSTGIHIPVIMSLAQ AA33766.1|

Advantageously, the serine protease inhibitor of the invention may be a serine protease trypsin-like enzyme and preferably a Kallikrein inhibitor. Kallikrein inhibitors of the invention are selected amongst hK2, hK3, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK9 hK10, hK11, hK12, hK13, hK14 or hK15 inhibitors. Preferably kallikreins inhibitors are selected among hK2, hK4, hKl 1, hK5 and hK14 inhibitors. More preferably, the kallikrein inhibitor is an hK2 inhibitor.

Encompassed by the present invention are recombinant inhibitor proteins of a Kallikrein, comprising a serpin sequence wherein the Reactive Serpin Loop P6-P6′ of said serpin sequence comprises at least one substrate active site sequence specific for said Kallikrein, biologically active fragments thereof, a molecular chimera thereof, a combination thereof and/or variants thereof. Said at least one substrate active site sequence specific for said Kallikrein is a substrate peptide selected by Kallikrein using a phage-displayed random pentapeptide library as disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/IB2004/001040 (University of Lausanne).

In particular, in case the kallikrein inhibitor is an inhibitor directed against hK2, said inhibitor can be selected among those disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/IB2004/001040, which content is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferably, the kallikrein inhibitor of the invention may be selected from the group comprising MD820, MD62, MD61, MD67 and MDCI. Most preferably this inhibitor is MD62 or MD61 and even more preferably the inhibitor is MDPK67b. This application discloses a chimeric inhibitor protein of a protease comprising an inhibiting polypeptidic sequence and at least one polypeptidic sequence of a substrate-enzyme interaction site specific for a protease as well as a method for producing the chimeric inhibitor protein of a protease. Preferably, the purified and isolated DNA sequence encoding the serine protease inhibitor of the invention is selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 1, SEQ ID N^(o) 3, SEQ ID N^(o) 5, SEQ ID N^(o) 7, SEQ ID N^(o) 9, SEQ ID N^(o) 11, SEQ ID N^(o) 13 and SEQ ID N^(o) 15. The most preferably, the purified and isolated DNA sequence encoding the serine protease inhibitor of the invention is SEQ ID N^(o) 15.

As an example of serine protease inhibitor according to the invention, Applicants have surprisingly found 6 new chimeric inhibitor proteins specific for the protease hK2 as resumed below in table II, these inhibitors are:

TABLE II Chimeric SEQ ID N° inhibitors Other name (protein) rACT_(8.20) MD820 2 rACT_(6.2) MD62 4 rACT_(8.3) MD83 6 rACT_(6.7) MD67 8 rACT_(6.1) MD61 10 ACT_(5.18) MD518 12 MDCI 14 MDPK67b 16

These chimeric inhibitor proteins have been obtained by modifying the RSL of α1-antichymotrypsin (rACT), which is known to inhibit a large panel of human enzymes such as chymotrypsin, mast cell chymase , cathepsin G , prostatic kallikreins hK2 and PSA (hK3), in order to change the specificity of this serpin. Peptide sequences, selected as substrates for the enzyme hK2 by phage display technology as explained in International Patent Application PCT/IB2004/001040, have been used to replace the scissile bond and neighbor amino acid residues of the RSL. Recombinant inhibitors were produced in bacteria and purified by affinity chromatography.

Additionally, applicants have also found that replacing residues P3-P3′ located in RSL structure of rACT_(WT) by substrate pentapeptide coding for the RSL of Protein C inhibitor (PCI) lead to the production of a chimeric inhibitor (MDCI) which is able to inhibit kallikreins hK2 and hK3.

In case the kallikrein inhibitor is an inhibitor directed against hK14, then said inhibitor can be selected among those disclosed in the priority International Patent Application PCT/IB2005/000504, which content is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferably, said recombinant inhibitor may be selected from the group comprising AAT_(G1), AAT_(G1G), AAT_(C11), AAT_(C11G), AAT_(E5), AAT_(E8), AAT_(F11), AAT_(F3), AAT_(G9), ACT_(G1), AcT_(G1G), ACT_(C11), ACT_(C11G), ACT_(E5), ACT_(E8), ACT_(F11), ACT_(F3), ACT_(G9) (SEQ ID N^(o) 17), ACT_(GIV), and ACT_(C11D). Preferably, said inhibitor protein of an hK14 protease is AAT_(G1), AAT_(G1G), AAT_(C11), AAT_(C11G), AAT_(E5), AAT_(E8), AAT_(F3), AAT_(G9), ACT_(G1G), ACT_(C11), ACT_(C11G), ACT_(E5), ACT_(E8), AGT_(F11), ACT_(F3), ACT_(G9) (SEQ ID N^(o) 18), _(ACT) _(G1V), or ACT_(C11D). This application discloses a chimeric inhibitor protein of an hK14 protease having an inhibiting polypeptidic sequence and at least a polypeptidic sequence of a substrate-enzyme interaction site specific for said hK14 protease, wherein said chimeric inhibitor protein of an hK14 protease has, under physiological conditions,

-   -   i) a stoechiometry of inhibition (SI) equal or below to 11.7         after at least 4 hours of incubation,     -   ii) an association rate (Ka) of at least 7,500 M⁻¹ s⁻¹,     -   iii) an inhibitory activity of 100% after at least 30 minutes of         incubation.

In addition, the inhibiting polypeptidic sequence of the protease inhibitor may also be selected from a cysteine protease since there are now a number of well-documented instances of inhibition of cysteine proteases by serpins (Gettins P. G. W., 2002 “Serpin structure, mechanism, and function” in Chem. Rev, 102, 4751-4803). These examples include inhibition of cathepsins K, L and S by the serpin squamous cell carcinoma antigenl, inhibition of prohormone thiol proteinase by the α-1antichymotrypsin, and inhibition of members of the caspase family, including caspase 1 (interleukine 1β converting enzyme), caspase 3, and caspase 8 by the viral serpin crmA and caspases 1, 4 and 8 by the human serpin P19.

Also contemplated by the present invention are mixtures of serine protease inhibitors, antibodies, Peptabodies and biologically active fragments thereof.

Antibodies according to the invention can bind selectively a kallikrein or a serine protease and will not bind (or will bind weakly) to a non-target polypeptide. They can also bind to a naturally occurring kallikrein or serine protease or to recombinants polypeptide thereof The antibodies of the invention can bind a kallikrein or serine protease expressed by a cell i.e. expressed by a cell includes cell-surface, membrane-bound, cytoplasmic or secreted forms. They can also bind one or more domains on the kallikrein or the serine protease, including the cytoplasmic, transmembrane, and/or extracellular domain(s). Alternatively, they can bind to any of the kallikrein or serine protease in their native and/or denatured forms.

It is understood by those skilled in the art that the regions or epitopes of the kallikrein or serine protease to which an antibody is directed can vary with the intended application.

The antibody according to the invention can recognize and bind any portion of the kallikrein or the serine protease, including the cytoplasmic domain, transmembrane domain, and/or the extracellular domain, or any portion thereof such as fragments or derivatives thereof.

Antibodies according to the invention can be polyclonal preparations which include a population of different antibodies directed against a different epitope on the immunogen, such as a kallikrein or serine protease used as an immunogen.

Polyclonal antibodies can be produced by methods well-known in the art. In general, any antibody (e.g., monoclonal, polyclonal, and the like) can be raised using an isolated kallikrein or a serine protease, or a fragment as the immunogen. In addition, the immunogen can be a fusion protein including all or a portion of the target polypeptides fused to V5, His, maltose-binding protein, GST, or human Ig. For example, polyclonal antibodies have been previously raised using a fusion protein having the extracellular domain of, for example, human hepsin fused to maltose-binding protein (Y Kazama, et al., 1995 J Biol Chem 270:66-72). The antibodies according to the invention can be monoclonal antibodies that bind a specific antigenic site present on the kallikrein or the serine protease.

Methods for preparing an immunogen and immunizing an animal are well-known in the art (Kohler and Milstein 1975 Nature 256:495-497; Brown et al. 1981 J Immunol 127:539-46; Brown et al., 1980 J Biol Chem 255:4980-83; Yeh et al., 1976 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 76:2927-31; Yeh et al., 1982 Int J Cancer 29:269-75; Kozbor et al., 1983 Immunol Today 4:72; Cole et al., 1985 Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96; U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Clackson, et al., 1991 Nature 352:624-628; Marks, et al., 1991 J Mol Biol 222:581-597).

The present invention also envisioned the case where the Kallikrein inhibitors and/or the serine protease inhibitors are in the form of Peptabodies.

A “Peptabody” as disclosed in WO 98/18943 (Kajava et al.) and WO2004087766 (Université de Lausanne) which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, is a high avidity molecule which uses the multimerization concept for inducing aberrant cell signals. The multimerization domain consists of a part of human cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), which is fused to a hinge region or spacer (preferably containing 19 amino acids from human IgA) and a domain (binding domain) capable of binding to an acceptor (ligand). The concept of peptabody molecule allows a tight binding on cells or tissues expressing high level of Kallikrein marker and serine protease. “Decabodies” are constructed on the same principle with the difference that they possess ten arms and consequently ten binding domains.

Usually, the diseases according to the invention are diseases in which the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the neutrophils have become a problem by being decreased due to infections, septicemia, irradiation, chemotherapy, side effects of drugs or the action of toxic chemicals.

The invention also includes topical application of kallikrein inhibitors in diabetic skin ulcers to prevent cell death of neutrophils and thereby restore cellularity and functions of neutrophils.

The invention also includes the in-vitro use of kallikrein inhibitors or the serine protease inhibitors for preparation of neutrophils and their bone marrow precursors to perform molecular manipulations for gene therapy or to use neutrophils and their bone marrow precursors for infusions to patients.

The invention includes the treatment of patients receiving stem cells or myeloid precursor cells or neutrophil transfusions with kallikrein inhibitors or the serine protease inhibitors.

The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the kallikrein inhibitor and/or the serine protease inhibitor as described herein as an active agent, optionally in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Preferably the composition, as a pharmaceutical composition, according to the invention is to be administered to a patient in need of treatment via any suitable route, usually orally or by injection into the bloodstream or CSF, or subcutaneously or directly into the site of interest, or close to this site.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention may also be added to infusion solutions prepared for infusions of bone marrow cells, myeloid cells and neutrophils.

According to another embodiment, the composition of the invention may also be added to solutions which are used in in-vitro manipulations of bone marrow cells and neutrophils for gene therapy or in cell freezing for storing of the cells.

According to a further embodiment, the composition of the invention may be applied locally to the skin in diabetic or ischemic skin ulcers.

The precise dose will depend upon a number of factors, including whether the composition is for prophylaxis or for treatment, the precise nature of the composition, and the nature of the detectable or functional label attached to the Kallikrein inhibitor or the serine protease inhibitor.

The present pharmaceutical composition comprises as an active substance a pharmaceutically effective amount of the composition as described, optionally in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and adjuvants.

“A pharmaceutically effective amount” refers to a chemical material or compound which, when administered to a human or animal organism induces a detectable pharmacological and/or physiologic effect.

The pharmaceutically effective amount of a dosage unit of the kallikrein inhibitor and/or the serine protease inhibitor as described herein usually is in the range of 0.001 ng to 100 μg per kg of body weight of the patient to be treated.

The pharmaceutical composition may contain one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and adjuvants.

Acceptable carriers, diluents and adjuvants which facilitates processing of the active compounds into preparation which can be used pharmaceutically are non-toxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid and methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl orbenzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); and/or non-ionic surfactants such as TWEEN®, PLURONICS® or polyethylene glycol (PEG). The form of administration of the pharmaceutical composition may be systemic or topical. For example, administration of such a composition may be various parenteral routes such as subcutaneous, intravenous, intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intranasal, transdermal, buccal routes or via an implanted device, and may also be delivered by peristaltic means. The pharmaceutical composition, as described herein, may also be incorporated or impregnated into a bioabsorbable matrix, with the matrix being administered in the form of a suspension of matrix, a gel or a solid support. In addition the matrix may be comprised of a biopolymer.

Sustained-release preparations may be prepared. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations include semi permeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the antibody, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g. films, or microcapsules. Examples of sustained-release matrices include polyesters, hydrogels (for example, poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), or poly(vinylalcohol)), polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919), copolymers of L-glutamic acid and [gamma] ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as the LUPRON DEPOT(™) (injectable microspheres composed of lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate), and poly-D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid.

The formulations to be used for in vivo administration must be sterile. This is readily accomplished for example by filtration through sterile filtration membranes.

It is understood that the suitable dosage of the present composition will be dependent upon the age, sex, health, and weight of the recipient, kind of concurrent treatment, if any and the nature of the effect desired.

The appropriate dosage form will depend on the disease, the inhibitor, and the mode of administration; possibilities include tablets, capsules, lozenges, dental pastes, suppositories, inhalants, solutions, ointments and parenteral depots.

Since amino acid modifications of the amino acids (of the inhibitor for example) are also encompassed in the present invention, this may be useful for cross-linking the inhibitor to a water-insoluble matrix or the other macromolecular carriers, or to improve the solubility, adsorption, and permeability across the blood brain barrier. Such modifications are well known in the art and may alternatively eliminate or attenuate any possible undesirable side effect of the peptide and the like.

Usually, the Kallikrein inhibitors or the serine protease inhibitors of the invention can comprise a detectable label or can bind to a detectable label to Rhin a detectable complex.

“Detectable labels” are detectable molecules or detection moiety for diagnostic purposes, such as enzymes or peptides having a particular binding property, e.g. streptavidin or horseradish peroxidase. Detection moiety further includes chemical moieties such as biotin which may be detected via binding to a specific cognate detectable moiety, e. g. labelled avidin.

Preferably, detectable labels include fluorescent labels and labels used conventionally in the art for MRI-CT imagine. A number of fluorescent materials are known and can be utilized as labels. These include, for example, fluorescein, rhodamine, auramine, Texas Red, AMCA blue and Lucifer Yellow.

The Kallikrein inhibitors or the serine protease inhibitors of the invention may carry a radioactive label as the detection moiety, such as the isotopes 3H, 14C, 32P, 35S, 36Cl, 51Cr, 57Co, 58Co, 59Fe, 90Y, 121I, 124I, 125I, 131I, 111In, 211At, 198Au, 67Cu, 225Ac, 213bu, 99Tc and 186Re. When radioactive labels are used, known currently available counting procedures may be utilized to identify and quantitate the specific binding members. In the instance where the label is an enzyme, detection may be accomplished by any of the presently utilized colorimetric, spectrophotometric, fluorospectrophotometric, amperometric or gasometric techniques known in the art.

In the instance of in vivo imaging, the labels of the present invention may be conjugated to an imaging agent rather than a radioisotope(s), including but not limited to a magnetic resonance image enhancing agent. Examples of chelating groups include EDTA, porphyrins, polyamines crown ethers and polyoximes.

Examples of paramagnetic ions include gadolinium, iron, manganese, rhenium, europium, lanthanium, holmium and erbium.

Another subject matter of the present invention is to provide a kit for the diagnosis, prognosis, prophylaxis or treatment of neutropenia in a mammal, said kit comprising the composition of the invention, optionally with reagents and/or instructions for use. The kit of the present invention may further comprise a separate pharmaceutical dosage form comprising for example an anti-cancer agent selected from the group consisting of chemotherapeutic agents, anti-epidermal growth factor receptors antibodies, radioimmunotherapeutic agents, and combinations thereof

Generally, the Kit comprises a container and a label or package insert on or associated with the container. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, etc. The containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container holds a composition which is effective for treating the condition and may have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). The label or package insert indicates that the composition is used for treating the condition of choice, such as netropenia.

Alternatively, or additionally, the Kit may further comprise a second (or third) container comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, and syringes.

The present invention also discloses the use of the composition of the invention, as a pharmacological tool in the development and standardization of in vitro and in vivo test systems for the diagnosis, prognosis, prophylaxis or treatment of neutropenia in mammals.

Also encompassed by the present invention is a detection assay for the diagnosis, prognosis, prophylaxis or treatment of neutropenia in a tissue sample comprising contacting the tissue sample with the composition of the invention, determining and measuring the amount of detected label and correlating this amount to the presence or absence of neutropenia in said tissue sample.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations or any two or more of said steps or features. The present disclosure is therefore to be considered as in all aspects illustrated and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended Claims, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency are intended to be embraced therein.

Various references are cited throughout this Specification, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The foregoing description will be more fully understood with reference to the following Examples. Such Examples, are, however, exemplary of methods of practicing the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES MDPK67B in vitro effect on neutrophil cell survival.

To assess viability of neutrophils in-vitro, peripheral blood from healthy donors was erythrocyte-lyzed and neutrophils or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated. Cultures in RPMI10% FCS were performed in 96 well microtiter plates (5×10⁵ cells/well) unless otherwise stated. The percentage of apoptotic neutrophils or PBMCs was assessed based on binding of fluorescent Annexin V-protein binding or measuring of CD11b or CD16 surface expression by FACS (fluorescent activated cell sorter) analysis.

Example 1 MDPK67b reduced apoptosis of neutrophils in vitro in a dose-dependent manner but has no significant effect on T-cell survival.

FIG. 1: Annexin-V staining of neutrophils and T-cells upon incubation with protease inhibitors MDPK67b and MDOKG9.

FIG. 1 a: Annexin-V staining of neutrophils and T-cells upon incubation with MDPK67b. Cells were incubated for 24 or 48 hours with MDPK67b at concentrations ranging from 6 μM to 60 μM, as indicated, or PBS as control. Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V staining and FACS analysis. Indicated leukocyte populations were gated based on their appearance in a forward scatter/ sideward scatter FACS dot plot (neutrophils) or by positive staining for CD3 (T cells).

FIG. 1 b: Annexin-V staining of neutrophils upon incubation with MDPK67b or MDOKG9 (OKDG9).

Neutrophils were incubated for 18 hours with MDPK67b or MDOKG9 concentrations ranging from 60 μM (dilution 1) to 60 μM (dilution 7) as indicated. Apoptosis was assessed as outlined above.

Conclusion: MDPK67b at doses ranging from 60 μM down to 0.6 μM inhibit apoptosis of neutrophils. MDOKG9 had a similar effect protecting neutrophils entering apoptosis. This effect was specific to neutrophils and MDPK67B did not inhibit apoptosis of monocytes or lymphocytes.

Example 2 MDPK67b mediated protection of neutrophils against apoptosis is independent from culture conditions.

FIG. 2: Comparison of various cell culture conditions through Annexin-V staining of MDPK67b treated neutrophils.

Neutrophils were cultured with the indicated concentrations of MDPK67b. PBS without MDPK67b served as a control. Neutrophils were plated (100 μl/well) either at 5>10⁶/ml (high density) or 3×10⁵/ml (low density) and neutrophil apoptosis was assessed by AnnexinV staining and FACS analysis. Culturing of 5×10⁶/ml neutrophils in serum free medium (X-Vivo 15) instead of RPMI10% FCS was assessed in parallel.

Conclusion: MDPK67b inhibits apoptosis of neutrophils in vitro independently of cell density and presence or absence of serum in the growth medium.

Example 3 The Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2 reverses MDPK67b mediated decrease in apoptosis of neutrophils.

FIG. 3: Reversion of MDPK67b mediated neutrophil protection by tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

FIG. 3 a: Effect of MDPK67b on CD 16 and CD 11 b levels of cultured neutrophils. Neutrophils were cultured with the indicated concentrations of MDPK67b and percentage of neutrophils expressing high levels of CD16 or CD11b was assessed by FACS. Representative FACS plots are shown.

FIG. 3 b: Reversion of effect of MDPK67b on CD16 and CD 11b neutrophils levels by PP2. Neutrophils were cultured with the indicated concentrations of MDPK67b in presence or absence of the Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2 (final concentration 10 μM). Apoptosis and relative frequencies of CD11b and CD16 high expressing neutrophils were measured by FACS analysis.

Conclusion: MDPK67b increases dose-dependently the frequency of neutrophils that express CD16 and CD11b at high levels which is associated with decreased apoptosis. The increased frequency of CD11b high expressing neutrophils and the decreased apoptosis in the presence of MDPK67b can be reversed in the presence of the Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2. Similar effects were observed with other kinase inhibitors blocking intracellular signaling pathways including the PI3K inhibitor Ly294002 and the ERK inhibitor PD98059.

Example 4 Superior effect of MDPK67b compared to G-CSF in protection of neutrophils from apoptosis

FIG. 4: Effect of G-CSF on neutrophil in vitro apoptosis. Neutrophils were cultured with the indicated concentrations of G-CSF and neutrophil Apoptosis (a) and down-regulation of CD16 expression (b) were analyzed by FACS. (c)

Neutrophils were cultured with MDPK67b (0.6 μM) and titrated amounts of G-CSF (concentrations as indicated). Neutrophils cultured in medium and PBS (without MDPK67b) served as a control.

Conclusion: The effect of MDPK67b on neutrophil apoptosis is not affected by G-CSF which alone has only a mild protecting effect on neutrophil apoptosis.

Example 5 MDPK67b reduces cytostatic drug-induced apoptosis of neutrophils

FIG. 5: Annexin-V and CD16 staining of neutrophils treated with MDPK67b and Etoposid.

FIG. 5 a: Annexin-V staining of neutrophils treated with MDPK67b and Etoposid. Cells were incubated during 18 hours with MDPK67b (6 μM) plus Etoposid (125 μg/ml), Etoposid alone or PBS. Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V staining and FACS analysis. Relevant leukocyte populations were gated based on their appearance in a forward scatter or sideward scatter FACS dot plot.

FIG. 5 b: Annexin-V staining of neutrophils treated with low MDPK67b and increasing Etoposid concentrations. Cells were incubated for 18 hours with MDPK67b (0.06 μM) alone or MDPK67b (0.06 μM) plus increasing concentrations of Etopsid (in μg/ml) as indicated or PBS. Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V staining and FACS analysis was performed as mentioned above.

FIG. 5 c: CD16 staining of neutrophils treated with MDPK67b and Etoposid Cells were incubated for 18 hours'with MDPK67b (0.06 μM alone or MDPK67b (0.06 μM) plus increasing concentrations of Etopsid (in μg/ml) as indicated or PBS. Percentages of CD16 high expressing neutrophils were assessed by FACS analysis.

Conclusion: Even high doses (up to 125 μg/ml) of the cytostatic drug Etoposid only partially block the apoptosis reducing effect of MDPK67b.

Example 6 RT-PCR Analysis of KLK expression in leukemic cell lines and donor derived mononuclear and neutrophil cells.

Material and Methods:

DU-145, PC-3, T47D, OVCAR-3, HL-60, THP1 and U937 cell lines were cultured in appropriate standard media with 10% deactivated fetal calf serum and incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO2. Mononuclear and neutrophil cells were isolated. Total RNA was extracted from the cells using Trizol reagent (Life Technologies, Inc.) and PureLink Micro-to-Midi kit (Invitrogen) and two μg of total RNA were reverse-transcribed into first-strand cDNA using Superscript III (Invitrogen) in a 20-μ1 reaction following the manufacturer's instructions. PCR reactions were performed using specific primers for each kallikrein and actin primers as control. All primers were already described in literature (Harvey TJ et al., J Biol Chem, 2000 Dec. 1; 275(48):37397-406. Yousef GM et al., J Biol Chem. 2001 Jan. 5; 276(1):53-61. Yousef GM et al., Cancer Res. 2001 Apr 15;61(8):3425-31). Depending on the PCR reaction, RNA isolated from different cell lines including DU-145, PC-3, T47D, OVCAR-3 were used as positive controls for KLK expression (Harvey TJ et al., J Biol Chem, 2000 Dec. 1; 275(48):37397-406).

The cycling conditions were depending on the target gene and mainly as described in Harvey TJ et al., (J Biol Chem, 2000 Dec. 1; 275(48):37397-406). The PCR mixture was electrophoresed on a 2% agarose gel and visualized by ethidium bromide staining. Where indicated, DNA bands of the predicted size were excised from a second 2% agarose gel following electrophoresis and DNA recovered was sequenced.

Primers used for RT-PCR KLK amplification;

KLK PRIMER Sequence KLK1 KLK1 F TGGAGAACCACACCCGCCAAG KLK1 R ACGGCGACAGAAGGCTTATTG KLK2 KLK2 F GCCTAAAGAAGAATAGCCAGGT KLK2R CTCAGACTAAGCTCTAGCACAC KLK3 KLK3 F GCATCAGGAACAAAAGCGTGA KLK3R CCTGAGGAATCGATTCTTCAG KLK4 KLK4 F GCGGCACTGGTCATGGAAAAGG KLK4R CAAGGCCCTGCAAGTACCCG KLK5 KLK5 F GAGCTGGGGCCGGGGAAGAC KLK5R TGGGCCGGGCACAAGGGTAA KLK6 KLK6 F GAGCGGCCATGAAGAAGC KLK6R AATCACCATCTGCTGTCTTGC KLK7 KLK7 F GCCCAGGGTGACAAGATTATT KLK7R GTACCTCTGCACACCAACGG KLK8 KLK8 F TACTCTGTGGCGGTGTCCTTG KLK8R GAGCCCCAGGATGTGATGCCC KLK9 KLK9 F GGCCGGCCTCTTCCACCTTAC KLK9R GCGCGGGCTCAGTTCTCCAT KLK10 KLK10 F GCGGAAACAAGCCACTGTGGG KLK10R  GGTAAACACCCCACGAGAGGA KLK11 KLK11 F CCGCTACATAGTTCACCTGG KLK11R AGGTGTGAGGCAGGCGTAACT KLK12 KLK12 F TGGCAGACAAAGAGACAAGGT KLK12R CTTAGAAGGGCTGGCAGGAG KLK13 KLK13 F CTACACCTGCTTCCCCCACTCTCA KLK13R GCCGGTCAGGTTGCCCACAT KLK14 KLK14 F CTGGGCAAGCACAACCTGAG KLK14R GCATCGTTTCCTCAATCCAGC KLK15 KLK15 F CAAGTGGCTCTCTACGAGCG KLK15R ATCACACGGGTGGTCATGTG

Results:

TABLE 2 Expression patterns of the 15 KLK genes obtained by RT-PCR analysis in leukemic cell lines and donor derived mononuclear and neutrophil cells. HL60 THP1 U937 Mononuclear Neutrophil KLK1 ++ ++¹⁾ ++¹⁾ +¹⁾ KLK2 + + +¹⁾ +¹⁾ KLK3 KLK4 KLK5 + KLK6 KLK7 KLK8 + + KLK9 ++ KLK10 + KLK11 + + KLK12 + + + + ++ KLK13 +¹⁾ ++ KLK14 ++ + ++ KLK15 + The following symbols used represent: ++, moderate/high expression; +, low expression; ¹⁾PCR products of the predicted size sequenced and confirmed to be the correct sequence.

Conclusion:

RT-PCR analysis of KLK expression levels in leukemic cell lines and isolated human blood cells indicated that multiple KLKs are expressed and that the different cells have very diverse expression patterns for the KLK protease family. Such differences in KLK expression levels might be involved in different effects kallikrein inhibitors have on in vitro cultures of these cells as the described protection against apoptosis in neutrophil cells.

SEQUENCES LISTING DNA Sequence ACT variants: MD 820 SEQ ID N^(o) 1

AGAGGATCCCATCACCATCACCATCACTCTAGACACCCTAACAGCCCACTTGACGAGGA GAATCTGACCCAGGAGAACCAAGACCGAGGGACACACGTGGACCTCGGATTAGCCTCCGCCA ACGTGGACTTCGCTTTCAGCCTGTACAAGCAGTTAGTCCTGAAGGCCCCTGATAAGAATGTC ATCTTCTCCCCACTGAGCATCTCCACCGCCTTGGCCTTCCTGTCTCTGGGGGCCCATAATAC CACCCTGACAGAGATTCTCAAAGGCCTCAAGTTCAACCTCACGGAGACTTCTGAGGCAGAAA TTCACCAGAGCTTCCAGCACCTCCTGCGCACCCTCAATCAGTCCAGCGATGAGCTGCAGCTG AGTATGGGAAATGCCATGTTTGTCAAAGAGCAACTCAGTCTGCTGGACAGGTTCACGGAGGA TGCCAAGAGGCTGTATGGCTCCGAGGCCTTTGCCACTGACTTTCAGGACTCAGCTGCAGCTA AGAAGCTCATCAACGACTACGTGAAGAATGGAACTAGGGGGAAAATCACAGATCTGATCAAG GACCTTGACTCGCAGACAATGATGGTCCTGGTGAATTACATCTTCTTTAAAGCCAAATGGGA GATGCCCTTTGACCCCCAAGATACTCATCAGTCAAGGTTCTACTTGAGCAAGAAAAAGTGGG TAATGGTGCCCATGATGAGTTTGCATCACCTGACTATACCTTACTTCCGGGACGAGGAGCTG TCCTGCACCGTGGTGGAGCTGAAGTACACAGGCAATGCCAGCGCACTCTTCATCCTCCCTGA TCAAGACAAGATGGAGGAAGTGGAAGCCATGCTGCTCCCAGAGACCCTGAAGCGGTGGAGAG ACTCTCTGGAGTTCAGAGAGATAGGTGAGCTCTACCTGCCAAAGTTTTCCATCTCGAGGGAC TATAACCTGAACGACATACTTCTCCAGCTGGGCATTGAGGAAGCCTTCACCAGCAAGGCTGA CCTGTCAGGGATCACAGGGGCCAGGAACCTAGCAGTCTCCCAGGTGGTCCATAAGGCTGTGC

CCCTACAGACACCCAGAACATCTTCTTCATGAGCAAAGTCACCAATCCCAAGCAAGCCTAA Protein Sequence ACT variants: MD 820 SEQ ID N^(o) 2

RGSHHHHHHSRHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNV IFSPLSISTALAFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQL SMGNAMFVKEQLSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIK DLDSQTMMVLVNYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEEL SCTVVELKYTGNASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRD

Italic: start codon ATG  Bold: His-tag Underlined: DNA mutation Underlined and grey: DNA sequence encoding RSL mutation.  DNA Sequence ACT variant: MD 62 SEQ ID N^(o) 3

AGAGGATCCCATCACCATCACCATCACTCTAGACACCCTAACAGCCCACTTGACGAGGA GAATCTGACCCAGGAGAACCAAGACCGAGGGACACACGTGGACCTCGGATTAGCCTCCGCCA ACGTGGACTTCGCTTTCAGCCTGTACAAGCAGTTAGTCCTGAAGGCCCCTGATAAGAATGTC ATCTTCTCCCCACTGAGCATCTCCACCGCCTTGGCCTTCCTGTCTCTGGGGGCCCATAATAC CACCCTGACAGAGATTCTCAAAGGCCTCAAGTTCAACCTCACGGAGACTTCTGAGGCAGAAA TTCACCAGAGCTTCCAGCACCTCCTGCGCACCCTCAATCAGTCCAGCGATGAGCTGCAGCTG AGTATGGGAAATGCCATGTTTGTCAAAGAGCAACTCAGTCTGCTGGACAGGTTCACGGAGGA TGCCAAGAGGCTGTATGGCTCCGAGGCCTTTGCCACTGACTTTCAGGACTCAGCTGCAGCTA AGAAGCTCATCAACGACTACGTGAAGAATGGAACTAGGGGGAAAATCACAGATCTGATCAAG GACCTTGACTCGCAGACAATGATGGTCCTGGTGAATTACATCTTCTTTAAAGCCAAATGGGA GATGCCCTTTGACCCCCAAGATACTCATCAGTCAAGGTTCTACTTGAGCAAGAAAAAGTGGG TAATGGTGCCCATGATGAGTTTGCATCACCTGACTATACCTTACTTCCGGGACGAGGAGCTG TCCTGCACCGTGGTGGAGCTGAAGTACACAGGCAATGCCAGCGCACTCTTCATCCTCCCTGA TCAAGACAAGATGGAGGAAGTGGAAGCCATGCTGCTCCCAGAGACCCTGAAGCGGTGGAGAG ACTCTCTGGAGTTCAGAGAGATAGGTGAGCTCTACCTGCCAAAGTTTTCCATCTCGAGGGAC TATAACCTGAACGACATACTTCTCCAGCTGGGCATTGAGGAAGCCTTCACCAGCAAGGCTGA CCTGTCAGGGATCACAGGGGCCAGGAACCTAGCAGTCTCCCAGGTGGTCCATAAGGCTGTGC

CCCTACAGACACCCAGAACATCTTCTTCATGAGCAAAGTCACCAATCCCAAGCAAGCCTAA Protein Sequence ACT variant: MD 62 SEQ ID N^(o) 4

RGSHHHHHHSRHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNV IFSPLSISTALAFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQL SMGNAMFVKEQLSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIK DLDSQTMMVLVNYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEEL SCTVVELKYTGNASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRD

Italic: start codon ATG Bold: His-tag Underlined: DNA mutation Underlined and grey: DNA sequence encoding RSL mutation. DNA Sequence ACT variant: MD 83 SEQ ID N^(o) 5

AGAGGATCCCATCACCATCACCATCACTCTAGACACCCTAACAGCCCACTTGACGAGGA GAATCTGACCCAGGAGAACCAAGACCGAGGGACACACGTGGACCTCGGATTAGCCTCCGCCA ACGTGGACTTCGCTTTCAGCCTGTACAAGCAGTTAGTCCTGAAGGCCCCTGATAAGAATGTC ATCTTCTCCCCACTGAGCATCTCCACCGCCTTGGCCTTCCTGTCTCTGGGGGCCCATAATAC CACCCTGACAGAGATTCTCAAAGGCCTCAAGTTCAACCTCACGGAGACTTCTGAGGCAGAAA TTCACCAGAGCTTCCAGCACCTCCTGCGCACCCTCAATCAGTCCAGCGATGAGCTGCAGCTG AGTATGGGAAATGCCATGTTTGTCAAAGAGCAACTCAGTCTGCTGGACAGGTTCACGGAGGA TGCCAAGAGGCTGTATGGCTCCGAGGCCTTTGCCACTGACTTTCAGGACTCAGCTGCAGCTA AGAAGCTCATCAACGACTACGTGAAGAATGGAACTAGGGGGAAAATCACAGATCTGATCAAG GACCTTGACTCGCAGACAATGATGGTCCTGGTGAATTACATCTTCTTTAAAGCCAAATGGGA GATGCCCTTTGACCCCCAAGATACTCATCAGTCAAGGTTCTACTTGAGCAAGAAAAAGTGGG TAATGGTGCCCATGATGAGTTTGCATCACCTGACTATACCTTACTTCCGGGACGAGGAGCTG TCCTGCACCGTGGTGGAGCTGAAGTACACAGGCAATGCCAGCGCACTCTTCATCCTCCCTGA TCAAGACAAGATGGAGGAAGTGGAAGCCATGCTGCTCCCAGAGACCCTGAAGCGGTGGAGAG ACTCTCTGGAGTTCAGAGAGATAGGTGAGCTCTACCTGCCAAAGTTTTCCATCTCGAGGGAC TATAACCTGAACGACATACTTCTCCAGCTGGGCATTGAGGAAGCCTTCACCAGCAAGGCTGA CCTGTCAGGGATCACAGGGGCCAGGAACCTAGCAGTCTCCCAGGTGGTCCATAAGGCTGTGC

CCCTACAGACACCCAGAACATCTTCTTCATGAGCAAAGTCACCAATCCCAAGCAAGCCTAA Protein Sequence ACT variant: MD 83 SEQ ID N^(o) 6 MRGSHHHHHHSRHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNV IFSPLSISTALAFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQL SMGNAMFVKEQLSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIK DLDSQTMMVLVNYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEEL SCTVVELKYTGNASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRD

Italic: start codon ATG Bold: His-tag Underlined: DNA mutation Underlined and grey: DNA sequence encoding RSL mutation. DNA Sequence ACT variant: MD 67 SEQ ID N^(o) 7

AGAGGATCCCATCACCATCACCATCACTCTAGACACCCTAACAGCCCACTTGACGAGGA GAATCTGACCCAGGAGAACCAAGACCGAGGGACACACGTGGACCTCGGATTAGCCTCCGCCA ACGTGGACTTCGCTTTCAGCCTGTACAAGCAGTTAGTCCTGAAGGCCCCTGATAAGAATGTC ATCTTCTCCCCACTGAGCATCTCCACCGCCTTGGCCTTCCTGTCTCTGGGGGCCCATAATAC CACCCTGACAGAGATTCTCAAAGGCCTCAAGTTCAACCTCACGGAGACTTCTGAGGCAGAAA TTCACCAGAGCTTCCAGCACCTCCTGCGCACCCTCAATCAGTCCAGCGATGAGCTGCAGCTG AGTATGGGAAATGCCATGTTTGTCAAAGAGCAACTCAGTCTGCTGGACAGGTTCACGGAGGA TGCCAAGAGGCTGTATGGCTCCGAGGCCTTTGCCACTGACTTTCAGGACTCAGCTGCAGCTA AGAAGCTCATCAACGACTACGTGAAGAATGGAACTAGGGGGAAAATCACAGATCTGATCAAG GACCTTGACTCGCAGACAATGATGGTCCTGGTGAATTACATCTTCTTTAAAGCCAAATGGGA GATGCCCTTTGACCCCCAAGATACTCATCAGTCAAGGTTCTACTTGAGCAAGAAAAAGTGGG TAATGGTGCCCATGATGAGTTTGCATCACCTGACTATACCTTACTTCCGGGACGAGGAGCTG TCCTGCACCGTGGTGGAGCTGAAGTACACAGGCAATGCCAGCGCACTCTTCATCCTCCCTGA TCAAGACAAGATGGAGGAAGTGGAAGCCATGCTGCTCCCAGAGACCCTGAAGCGGTGGAGAG ACTCTCTGGAGTTCAGAGAGATAGGTGAGCTCTACCTGCCAAAGTTTTCCATCTCGAGGGAC TATAACCTGAACGACATACTTCTCCAGCTGGGCATTGAGGAAGCCTTCACCAGCAAGGCTGA CCTGTCAGGGATCACAGGGGCCAGGAACCTAGCAGTCTCCCAGGTGGTCCATAAGGCTGTGC

CCCTACAGACACCCAGAACATCTTCTTCATGAGCAAAGTCACCAATCCCAAGCAAGCCTAA Protein Sequence ACT variant: MD 67 SEQ ID N^(o) 8 MRGSHHHHHHSRHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNV IFSPLSISTALAFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQL SMGNAMFVKEQLSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIK DLDSQTMMVLVNYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEEL SCTVVELKYTGNASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRD

Italic: start codon ATG Bold: His-tag Underlined: DNA mutation Underlined and grey: DNA sequence encoding RSL mutation. DNA Sequence ACT variant: MD 61 SEQ ID N^(o) 9

AGAGGATCCCATCACCATCACCATCACTCTAGACACCCTAACAGCCCACTTGACGAGGA GAATCTGACCCAGGAGAACCAAGACCGAGGGACACACGTGGACCTCGGATTAGCCTCCGCCA ACGTGGACTTCGCTTTCAGCCTGTACAAGCAGTTAGTCCTGAAGGCCCCTGATAAGAATGTC ATCTTCTCCCCACTGAGCATCTCCACCGCCTTGGCCTTCCTGTCTCTGGGGGCCCATAATAC CACCCTGACAGAGATTCTCAAAGGCCTCAAGTTCAACCTCACGGAGACTTCTGAGGCAGAAA TTCACCAGAGCTTCCAGCACCTCCTGCGCACCCTCAATCAGTCCAGCGATGAGCTGCAGCTG AGTATGGGAAATGCCATGTTTGTCAAAGAGCAACTCAGTCTGCTGGACAGGTTCACGGAGGA TGCCAAGAGGCTGTATGGCTCCGAGGCCTTTGCCACTGACTTTCAGGACTCAGCTGCAGCTA AGAAGCTCATCAACGACTACGTGAAGAATGGAACTAGGGGGAAAATCACAGATCTGATCAAG GACCTTGACTCGCAGACAATGATGGTCCTGGTGAATTACATCTTCTTTAAAGCCAAATGGGA GATGCCCTTTGACCCCCAAGATACTCATCAGTCAAGGTTCTACTTGAGCAAGAAAAAGTGGG TAATGGTGCCCATGATGAGTTTGCATCACCTGACTATACCTTACTTCCGGGACGAGGAGCTG TCCTGCACCGTGGTGGAGCTGAAGTACACAGGCAATGCCAGCGCACTCTTCATCCTCCCTGA TCAAGACAAGATGGAGGAAGTGGAAGCCATGCTGCTCCCAGAGACCCTGAAGCGGTGGAGAG ACTCTCTGGAGTTCAGAGAGATAGGTGAGCTCTACCTGCCAAAGTTTTCCATCTCGAGGGAC TATAACCTGAACGACATACTTCTCCAGCTGGGCATTGAGGAAGCCTTCACCAGCAAGGCTGA CCTGTCAGGGATCACAGGGGCCAGGAACCTAGCAGTCTCCCAGGTGGTCCATAAGGCTGTGC

CCCTACAGACACCCAGAACATCTTCTTCATGAGCAAAGTCACCAATCCCAAGCAAGCCTAA Protein Sequence ACT variant: MD 61 SEQ ID N^(o) 10 MRGSHHHHHHSRHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNV IFSPLSISTALAFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQL SMGNAMFVKEQLSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIK DLDSQTMMVLVNYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEEL SCTVVELKYTGNASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRD

Italic: start codon ATG Bold: His-tag Underlined: DNA mutation Underlined and grey: DNA sequence encoding RSL mutation. DNA Sequence ACT variants: MD 518 SEQ ID N^(o) 11

AGAGGATCCCATCACCATCACCATCACTCTAGACACCCTAACAGCCCACTTGACGAGGA GAATCTGACCCAGGAGAACCAAGACCGAGGGACACACGTGGACCTCGGATTAGCCTCCGCCA ACGTGGACTTCGCTTTCAGCCTGTACAAGCAGTTAGTCCTGAAGGCCCCTGATAAGAATGTC ATCTTCTCCCCACTGAGCATCTCCACCGCCTTGGCCTTCCTGTCTCTGGGGGCCCATAATAC CACCCTGACAGAGATTCTCAAAGGCCTCAAGTTCAACCTCACGGAGACTTCTGAGGCAGAAA TTCACCAGAGCTTCCAGCACCTCCTGCGCACCCTCAATCAGTCCAGCGATGAGCTGCAGCTG AGTATGGGAAATGCCATGTTTGTCAAAGAGCAACTCAGTCTGCTGGACAGGTTCACGGAGGA TGCCAAGAGGCTGTATGGCTCCGAGGCCTTTGCCACTGACTTTCAGGACTCAGCTGCAGCTA AGAAGCTCATCAACGACTACGTGAAGAATGGAACTAGGGGGAAAATCACAGATCTGATCAAG GACCTTGACTCGCAGACAATGATGGTCCTGGTGAATTACATCTTCTTTAAAGCCAAATGGGA GATGCCCTTTGACCCCCAAGATACTCATCAGTCAAGGTTCTACTTGAGCAAGAAAAAGTGGG TAATGGTGCCCATGATGAGTTTGCATCACCTGACTATACCTTACTTCCGGGACGAGGAGCTG TCCTGCACCGTGGTGGAGCTGAAGTACACAGGCAATGCCAGCGCACTCTTCATCCTCCCTGA TCAAGACAAGATGGAGGAAGTGGAAGCCATGCTGCTCCCAGAGACCCTGAAGCGGTGGAGAG ACTCTCTGGAGTTCAGAGAGATAGGTGAGCTCTACCTGCCAAAGTTTTCCATCTCGAGGGAC TATAACCTGAACGACATACTTCTCCAGCTGGGCATTGAGGAAGCCTTCACCAGCAAGGCTGA CCTGTCAGGGATCACAGGGGCCAGGAACCTAGCAGTCTCCCAGGTGGTCCATAAGGCTGTGC

CCCTACAGACACCCAGAACAY'CTTCTTCATGAGCAAAGTCACCAATCCCAAGCAAGCCTAA Protein Sequence ACT variants: MD 518 SEQ ID N^(o) 12

RGSHHHHHHSRHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNV IFSPLSISTALAFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQL SMGNAMFVKEQLSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIK DLDSQTMMVLVNYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEEL SCTVVELKYTGNASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRD

Italic: start codon ATG Bold: His-tag Underlined: DNA mutation Underlined and grey: DNA sequence encoding RSL mutation. DNA Sequence ACT variants: MDCI SEQ ID N^(o) 13

AGAGGATCCCATCACCATCACCATCACTCTAGACACCCTAACAGCCCACTTGACGAGGA GAATCTGACCCAGGAGAACCAAGACCGAGGGACACACGTGGACCTCGGATTAGCCTCCGCCA ACGTGGACTTCGCTTTCAGCCTGTACAAGCAGTTAGTCCTGAAGGCCCCTGATAAGAATGTC ATCTTCTCCCCACTGAGCATCTCCACCGCCTTGGCCTTCCTGTCTCTGGGGGCCCATAATAC CACCCTGACAGAGATTCTCAAAGGCCTCAAGTTCAACCTCACGGAGACTTCTGAGGCAGAAA TTCACCAGAGCTTCCAGCACCTCCTGCGCACCCTCAATCAGTCCAGCGATGAGCTGCAGCTG AGTATGGGAAATGCCATGTTTGTCAAAGAGCAACTCAGTCTGCTGGACAGGTTCACGGAGGA TGCCAAGAGGCTGTATGGCTCCGAGGCCTTTGCCACTGACTTTCAGGACTCAGCTGCAGCTA AGAAGCTCATCAACGACTACGTGAAGAATGGAACTAGGGGGAAAATCACAGATCTGATCAAG GACCTTGACTCGCAGACAATGATGGTCCTGGTGAATTACATCTTCTTTAAAGCCAAATGGGA GATGCCCTTTGACCCCCAAGATACTCATCAGTCAAGGTTCTACTTGAGCAAGAAAAAGTGGG TAATGGTGCCCATGATGAGTTTGCATCACCTGACTATACCTTACTTCCGGGACGAGGAGCTG TCCTGCACCGTGGTGGAGCTGAAGTACACAGGCAATGCCAGCGCACTCTTCATCCTCCCTGA TCAAGACAAGATGGAGGAAGTGGAAGCCATGCTGCTCCCAGAGACCCTGAAGCGGTGGAGAG ACTCTCTGGAGTTCAGAGAGATAGGTGAGCTCTACCTGCCAAAGTTTTCCATCTCGAGGGAC TATAACCTGAACGACATACTTCTCCAGCTGGGCATTGAGGAAGCCTTCACCAGCAAGGCTGA CCTGTCAGGGATCACAGGGGCCAGGAACCTAGCAGTCTCCCAGGTGGTCCATAAGGCTGTGC

TCTGCATTAGTGGAGACGCGTACCATTGTGCGTTTCAACAGGCCCTTCCTGATGATCATTGT CCCTACAGACACCCAGAACATCTTCTTCATGAGCAAAGTCACCAATCCCAAGCAAGCCTAA Protein Sequence ACT variants: MID CI SEQ ID N^(o) 14

RGSHHHHHHSRHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNV IFSPLSISTALAFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQL SMGNAMFVKEQLSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIK DLDSQTMMVLVNYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEEL SCTVVELKYTGNASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRD YNLNDILLQLGIEEAFTSKADLSGITGARNLAVSQVVHKAVLDVFEEGTEASAATAVKITFR SALVETRTIVRFNRPFLMIIVPTDTQNIFFMSKVTNPKQA* DNA sequence of MDPK67b SEQ ID N^(o) 15 ATGCATCCGAACAGCCCGCTGGATGAAGAAAACCTGACCCAGGAAAACCAGGATCGCGGCAC CCATGTGGATCTGGGTCTGGCCAGCGCGAACGTGGATTTTGCGTTCAGCCTGTATAAACAGC TGGTGCTGAAAGCGCCGGATAAAAACGTGATTTTTAGCCCGCTGTCTATTAGCACCGCGCTG GCCTTTCTGAGCCTGGGCGCGCATAACACCACCCTGACCGAAATTCTGAAAGGCCTGAAATT TAACCTGACCGAAACCAGCGAAGCGGAAATTCATCAGAGCTTTCAGCATCTGCTGCGTACCC TGAACCAGAGCAGCGATGAACTGCAGCTGTCTATGGGCAACGCGATGTTTGTGAAAGAACAG CTGTCTCTGCTGGATCGTTTTACCGAAGATGCGAAACGTCTGTATGGCAGCGAAGCGTTTGC GACCGATTTTCAGGATAGCGCGGCGGCGAAAAAACTGATTAACGATTATGTGAAAAACGGCA CCCGTGGCAAAATTACCGATCTGATCAAAGATCTGGATAGCCAGACCATGATGGTGCTGGTG AACTACATCTTCTTCAAAGCGAAATGGGAAATGCCGTTTGATCCGCAGGATACCCATCAGAG CCGTTTTTACCTGAGCAAAAAAAAATGGGTGATGGTGCCGATGATGAGCCTGCATCATCTGA CCATTCCGTATTTTCGTGATGAAGAACTGAGCTGCACCGTGGTGGAACTGAAATATACCGGC AACGCGAGCGCGCTGTTTATTCTGCCGGATCAGGATAAAATGGAAGAAGTGGAAGCGATGCT GCTGCCGGAAACCCTGAAACGTTGGCGTGATAGCCTGGAATTTCGTGAAATTGGCGAACTGT ATCTGCCGAAATTTAGCATTAGCCGCGATTATAACCTGAACGATATTCTGCTGCAGCTGGGC ATTGAAGAAGCGTTTACCAGCAAAGCGGATCTGAGCGGCATTACCGGTGCGCGTAACCTGGC CGTGAGCCAGGTGGTGCATAAAGCGGTGCTGGATGTGTTTGAAGAAGGCACCGAAGCGAGCG CGGCGACCGCGGTGAAAATTAAACTGCGTACCACCCTGGTGGAAACCCGTACCATTGTGCGT TTTAACCGTCCGTTTCTGATGATTATTGTGCCGACCGATACCCAGAACATCTTTTTCATGAG CAAAGTGACCAATCCGAAACAGGCGTAA Amino acid sequence of MDPK67b SEQ ID N^(o) 16 MHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNVIFSPLSISTAL AFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQLSMGNAMFVKEQ LSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIKDLDSQTMMVLV NYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEELSCTVVELKYTG NASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRDYNLNDILLQLG IEEAFTSKADLSGITGARNLAVSQVVHKAVLDVFEEGTEASAATAVKIKLRTTLVETRTIVR FNRPFLMIIVPTDTQNIFFMSKVTNPKQA Italic: start codon ATG Bold: His-tag Underlined: DNA mutation Underlined and grey: DNA sequence encoding RSL mutation. DNA sequence of ACT-G9 (alternative names: MDOKG9, OKDG9) SEQ ID N^(o) 17

AGAGGATCCCATCACCATCACCATCACTCTAGACACCCTAACAGCCCACTTGACGAGAA GAATCTGACCCAGGAGAACCAAGACCGAGGGACACACGTGGACCTCGGATTAGCCTCCGCCA ACGTGGACTTCGCTTTCAGCCTGTACAAGCAGTTAGTCCTGAAGGCCCCTGATAAGAATGTC ATCTTCTCCCCACTGAGCATCTCCACCGCCTTGGCCTTCCTGTCTCTGGGGGCCCATAATAC CACCCTGACAGAGATTCTCAAAGGCCTCAAGTTCAACCTCACGGAGACTTCTGAGGCAGAAA TTCACCAGAGCTTCCAGCACCTCCTGCGCACCCTCAATCAGTCCAGCGATGAGCTGCAGCTG AGTATGGGAAATGCCATGTTTGTCAAAGAGCAACTCAGTCTGCTGGACAGGTTCACGGAGGA TGCCAAGAGGCTGTATGGCTCCGAGGCCTTTGCCACTGACTTTCAGGACTCAGCTGCAGCTA AGAAGCTCATCAACGACTACGTGAAGAATGGAACTAGGGGGAAAATCACAGATCTGATCAAG GACCTTGACTCGCAGACAATGATGGTCCTGGTGAATTACATCTTCTTTAAAGCCAAATGGGA GATGCCCTTTGACCCCCAAGATACTCATCAGTCAAGGTTCTACTTGAGCAAGAAAAAGTGGG TAATGGTGCCCATGATGAGTTTGCATCACCTGACTATACCTTACTTCCGGGACGAGGAGCTG TCCTGCACCGTGGTGGAGCTGAAGTACACAGGCAATGCCAGCGCACTCTTCATCCTCCCTGA TCAAGACAAGATGGAGGAAGTGGAAGCCATGCTGCTCCCAGAGACCCTGAAGCGGTGGAGAG ACTCTCTGGAGTTCAGAGAGATAGGTGAGCTCTACCTGCCAAAGTTTTCCATCTCGAGGGAC TATAACCTGAACGACATACTTCTCCAGCTGGGCATTGAGGAAGCCTTCACCAGCAAGGCTGA CCTGTCAGGGATCACAGGGGCCAGGAACCTAGCAGTCTCCCAGGTGGTCCATAAGGCTGTGC

CCCTACAGACACCCAGAACATCTTCTTCATGAGCAAAGTCACCAATCCCAAGCAAGCCTAA Italic and bold: start codon ATG Bold and underlined: His-tag Underlined: DNA mutation (added codon) Underlined and grey: DNA sequence encoding RSL mutation. Amino acid sequence of: ACT-G9 (alternative names: MDOKG9, OKDG9) SEQ ID N^(o) 18

RGSHHHHHHSRHPNSPLDEENLTQENQDRGTHVDLGLASANVDFAFSLYKQLVLKAPDKNV IFSPLSISTALAFLSLGAHNTTLTEILKGLKFNLTETSEAEIHQSFQHLLRTLNQSSDELQL SMGNAMFVKEQLSLLDRFTEDAKRLYGSEAFATDFQDSAAAKKLINDYVKNGTRGKITDLIK DLDSQTMMVLVNYIFFKAKWEMPFDPQDTHQSRFYLSKKKWVMVPMMSLHHLTIPYFRDEEL SCTVVELKYTGNASALFILPDQDKMEEVEAMLLPETLKRWRDSLEFREIGELYLPKFSISRD

Italic and bold: start Methionine Bold and underlined: His-tag Underlined: amino acid mutation (added) Underlined and grey: RSL mutation 

1. A method for the treatment or prevention of patients suffering from neutropenia comprising the administration to said patients in need thereof of a therapeutically effective amount of serine protease inhibitors.
 2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the serine protease inhibitors is a Kallikrein inhibitor.
 3. The method of claim 2, characterized in that the Kallikrein inhibitor is selected amongst hK2, hK3, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK9 hK10, hK11, hK12, hK13, hK14, hK15 inhibitors or mixtures thereof.
 4. The method of claim 3, characterized in that the Kallikrein inhibitor is selected among hK2, hK4, hK11, hK5, hK14 inhibitors or mixtures thereof
 5. The method of claim 4, characterized in that the Kallikrein inhibitor is an hK2 inhibitor.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof
 7. Serine protease inhibitors for use in a method of treating or preventing neutropenia in patients which develops due to infections, septicemia, chemotherapy, irradiation, toxic chemicals or as side effects of any medication.
 8. Serine protease inhibitors for use in a method of treating or preventing neutropenia of claim 7, wherein the number and/or activation state of neutrophils is impaired.
 9. Serine protease inhibitors of claim 8, for use in a method of treating or preventing skin ulcers in diabetes patients in which neutrophils undergo cell death, or skin ulcers developing in patients with peripheral arterial disease associated with hypoxic conditions in the skin and neutrophil dysfunction and apoptosis.
 10. Serine protease inhibitors of claim 7, for use in a method of treating or preventing irradiation induced damage of myeloid cells as occurs in the course of treatment of malignancy, accidents in nuclear plants or use of nuclear weapons.
 11. Serine protease inhibitors of claims 7-10, wherein the serine protease inhibitors is a Kallikrein inhibitor.
 12. Serine protease inhibitors of claim 11, characterized in that the Kallikrein inhibitor is selected amongst hK2, hK3, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK9 hK10, hK11, hK11, hK12, hK13, hK14, hK15 inhibitors or mixtures thereof
 13. Serine protease inhibitors of claims 7-12, wherein the serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof.
 14. Serine protease inhibitors for use in the in-vitro preparation of neutrophils and their bone marrow precursors to perform molecular manipulations for gene therapy prior to infusion of myeloid cells to patients with neutropenia or genetic disorders of the myeloid system, or to use neutrophils and their bone marrow precursors for infusion to patients with neutropenia or dysfunction of neutrophils.
 15. The serine protease inhibitors of claim 14, wherein the serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof.
 16. A method for the prevention of apoptosis of myeloid cells of patients, comprising the administration to said patients in need thereof of a therapeutically effective amount of serine protease inhibitors: (1) during and after transfection of bone marrow cells performed for gene therapy, (2) during blood stem cell mobilization performed for reconstitution of hematopoiesis and/or (3) during infusion of cells of the myeloid lineage for reconstitution of hematopoiesis for gene therapy or for treatment of neutropenia by infusion of neutrophils.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof.
 18. A kit for the diagnosis, prognosis, prophylaxis or treatment of neutropenia in a mammal, characterized in that said kit comprises serine protease inhibitors, optionally with reagents and/or instructions for use.
 19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the serine protease inhibitors comprise a detectable label or can bind to a detectable label to form a detectable complex.
 20. The kit of claims 18-19, wherein the serine protease inhibitors is a Kallikrein inhibitor.
 21. The kit of claim 20, wherein in the Kallikrein inhibitor is selected amongst hK2, hK3, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK9 hK10, hK11, hK12, hK13, hK14, hK15 inhibitors or mixtures thereof.
 22. The kit of claims 18-21, wherein the serine protease inhibitors are selected from the group comprising SEQ ID N^(o) 2, SEQ ID N^(o) 4, SEQ ID N^(o) 6, SEQ ID N^(o) 8, SEQ ID N^(o) 10, SEQ ID N^(o) 12, SEQ ID N^(o) 14, SEQ ID N^(o) 16, SEQ ID N^(o) 18 or mixtures thereof. 